transmisión manual
/tɾansmisjon manwal/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase "manual transmission" is translated into Spanish as transmisión manual. Wiktionary also lists caja manual and transmisión mecánica.
Meaning: type of transmission (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| transmisión manual | /tɾansmisjon manwal/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| caja manual | /kaxa manwal/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| transmisión mecánica | /tɾansmisjon mekanika/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America, feminine |
You may also encounter cambio manual when the focus is specifically on the gear system or the act of shifting gears.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase transmisión manual is a literal translation where transmisión means transmission and manual means manual.
Which one should you use?
While transmisión manual is the standard term, caja manual is an alternative.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, you might hear transmisión mecánica used to distinguish a manual transmission from an automatic one. In Mexico, the term transmisión estándar is also commonly used when discussing these vehicles.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must take the plural ending, resulting in transmisiones manuales.
Did you know?
- The word caja in caja manual shares an ancient root with the English word 'case' and the word 'cash'.
- In Spanish, the gear stick is often called la palanca de cambios, which literally means 'the lever of changes'.
- The term caja describes the physical housing of the gears, making it a way to refer to the transmission by its container.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedes operar una transmisión manual?Can you operate a manual transmission?This sentence is useful for asking if someone can operate a transmisión manual.Tatoeba #1230804 by marcelostockle, translation #32506 by Dejo
- ¿Sabes conducir un coche con transmisión manual?Can you drive a car with manual transmission?This sentence is useful for asking if someone can drive a car with a transmisión manual.Tatoeba #2062874 by lazarus1907, translation #1471425 by rul
- Hola, ¿tienen autos de transmisión manual disponibles?Hello, do you have cars with manual transmission available?
- Me gusta manejar autos con transmisión estándar, ¿y tú?I enjoy driving cars with a manual transmission, and you?
- Prefiero el control de la transmisión manual.I prefer the control of the manual transmission.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are looking at a used car for sale.
- Mateo¿Este coche tiene transmisión manual?Does this car have a manual transmission?
- LucíaSí, es una transmisión manual de seis velocidades.Yes, it is a six-speed manual transmission.
- MateoEso es perfecto para mí.That is perfect for me.
- LucíaMe alegra que te guste, Mateo.I'm glad you like it, Mateo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “manual transmission” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caja, manual, transmisión, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
